OVERALL RATING :

Scare Factor

Actors

Set Design

Length

RAW SCORE : 7.125

RATING

REVIEW

Being themed around horror movies is a double edge sword. For a true horror fan, it can make this the best house out there, yet for a n00b like me, this house was still able to deliver. Though I didn’t get many of the references until far too late, it didn’t stop me from being scared. Slaughterhouse capitalizes on the jump-out-and-go-boo scare for people like me, and but their timing makes sure it works.  As I rotated from front to back to middle of the group it didn’t seem to matter where I was, I got the scare. Neat touches like peek holes and culverts to crawl through kept me busy while scares hid around corners. Some of the actors are amazing, blocking paths and trapping victims, others simply scream their hearts out. Either way, they fit their part. I only wish they had more budget to expand these ideas and allow me to feel like I was really inside the movies.

Oh, did I mention the guide who gives the intro talk? I’ll just say it was the most captivating disclaimer I’ve ever heard. To date, it’s the only time I’ve paid attention and wished there were more rules to going inside a house.

PROS

Super cool theme

CONS

You gotta know your movies

RATING

REVIEW

I started off my haunting season with The Curse of Slaughterhouse Gulch and it was a decent start. I have no idea why the haunt is named what it is, because it's basically a who's who of the "big names" in horror: Jason, Mike Meyers, Hannibal Lecter. The gang's all here. Even if you're like me and don't watch a lot of horror flicks, you'll recognize the characters and will probably be creeped out by them.

They really did a good job this year of disguising the ceiling and getting lots of coverage on the walls. The music and audio effects were super clear and ran continually while walking through the haunt. I really enjoyed the skeleton "guide" who explained the rules at the beginning. The effect was cool, but the list of rules went on way too long. That being said, when there are more people going through, he'll probably help with spacing the groups out nicely. I seemed to be able to see most of the characters before I had even entered a room, so there wasn't much of a startle factor.

I especially liked the guy on stilts outside the haunt: he was creepy and menacing...a good combination in my book! Also, the dude with the chainsaw was great at the "silent stare." You'll just have to check that one out for yourself!

PROS

Good audio effects, decent characters

CONS

Could see actors before entering a room

RATING

REVIEW

If I had to give an award so far for most improved haunt, it would be this one (easy… as of this writing we’ve only reviewed 4 haunts).  They seem to have taken it up a notch in set detail, thrills, and acting. This is my favorite Starland haunt so far. I’ve always liked the theme of having all your favorite horror icons tormenting you for 15 minutes in the dark. They even added some oldies and new ones you might not recognize right off the bat (Pennywise form IT and Pyramid Head from Silent Hill). Samara makes an appearance again and is much improved from last year. I was in the back of the line and she stayed in character complete with the glitchy ever so creepy movements you would expect from her. Attention to detail has been improved, although there are still some sets that need some work (the toilet with “blood” on it where you could obviously see the paintbrush marks or the $1 chain holding the guy to the bathtub in the Jigsaw room).  More notable rooms include the Jason Vorhees’ hockey mask room, the church altar room, and a new favorite this year is the claustrophobia bag – ever want to be trapped on all sides with a force pushing on you from every conceivable direction? Now you have your chance. Overall the scare factor was improved to with well-timed thrills, dark encounters, and unexpected monsters jumping in your face. The dark is this haunt’s best friend, and they capitalize on it.

PROS

Set design, scares

CONS

It’s still a strip mall haunt

RATING

REVIEW

Now I wish I had been keeping up on all the scary movies out there; this was a tour of terror through some of the best and most recognized horror flicks in recent history. Michael Myers representin’ (I got a good scare when I taunted him and then found out the bars in haunted houses don’t hold the maniacs at bay!!! ), that weird puppet thing wanted to play a game, but we ‘saw’ what he did to his last playmate…. No thanks!

Freddy chased us through the boiler-room (I always thought he was taller…. hm…) and Red Pyramid was present as well (Silent Hill). The highlight of this haunt, in my opinion, was Pennywise, the clown. MAD props to that actor. It was such a creepy performance, he nailed it and made that room what it was meant to be. The set design for Pennywise’s room was awesome too.

I actually got scared enough to run a little in this one, there was a claustrophobia bag that was a lot of fun. All in all, the sets were decent, I agreed with some fellow reviewers that some things needed beefing up, and a few performers needed to kick it up a notch. There is also the red-faced leering maniac who greeted us at the other house in the same building to mention, he follows thru…and follows you outside…and follows you to your car… YIKES!

PROS

A couple of good performances and good sets

CONS

Several places the set/prop design could be better and actors a little more invested

RATING

REVIEW

PROS

CONS

RATING

REVIEW

If you like the scary movies then this is the house for you, they have brought back some of the best horror movie stars for your Entertainment. Every room that I went in I felt like I was in that movie. The actors all played their part to make the hunt seem like you were really going from movie to movie. So be ready because The Curse Of slaughter House Gulch has some of the bad boys of horror movies. I liked this hunt because it didn't stray from the team. The actors were grate they keyed in character the whole time. And played their parts well  There were great ideas some that I have never seen before. The hunt was a little short for my likening but all in all it was a grate hunt I recommend this hunt to people of all ages. I think that they did a grate job this year and I hope to see more of this hunt in the future.

PROS

New Ides, actors were great

CONS

A little to short

RATING

REVIEW

This haunt was decent over all.  However, it was a little short in length.  I totally get what this haunt is trying to do, which is take a bunch of horror movies and combine the villians in them to create your worst nightmare.  This isn't a bad idea except if you're trying to be original.  This also makes the haunt more predictable which can take away from the scare factor, unless you have a pre-existing fear of lets say the girl from "The Ring" like I do:)  The actors could use some help.  I feel like they just need to get into their roles more and get more involved with the audience.  There was one that stood out though...the big guy in the black robe creeping around the entrance before you entered.  Also, good use of smells.   

PROS

Some good characters

CONS

Too predictable.  Needs more excitement

RATING

REVIEW

I really enjoyed the new elements of Slaughterhouse Gultch this year. The format and theme were the same, which is only a problem if you don’t watch any Horror Movies. Otherwise I was really satisfied with the high caliber of the actors and the new innovative props and fx. The beginning of this haunt really set the bar with the entry room and the monsters in the waiting area.

As I waited in line I was greeted by several creepy characters who took turns taunting the group. A tall skeletal being in black kept us entertained while we were waiting our turn. My favorite actor was the bloody faced grunting creep that kept breathing over my shoulder who made me just unnerved enough to get in the mood for this haunt. And I loved the really intense skeleton who we met in the first room.

This Haunt had 3 or 4 really unique elements that caught me off guard and made me second guess my expectations, which I love. Ultimately Slaughterhouse Gultch delivered with both classic elements and a great horror film theme as well as a few new elements which made it one I would recommend.

PROS

New innovative fx/props

CONS

If you don't know horror flix it can be alienating